Hold-down mechanism of springactuated shades



B. ROLSTON May 15, 1951 HOLD-DOWN MECHANISM OF SPRING-ACTUATED SHADES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1949 F I w swsl May 15, 1951 B. ROLSTON HOLD-DOWN MECHANISM OF SPRING-ACTUATED SHADES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1949 Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES :PATENT OFFICE HOLD-DOWN MECHANISM OF SPRING- ACTUATED SHADES Claims.

This invention is intended to eliminate the objections so widely held to the present form of hold down mechanism of spring-actuated shades, to operate which it is necessary to pinch together with the thumb and forefinger opposed handles, or finger pieces, in order to release the friction attachments at each side of the shade. The main objections are: (1) Unless the pressure is exerted in even amounts on both handles at the same time, one guide is released and starts to move while the other remains in place, which causes the guides to jamb or to come out of their tracks. (2) The amount of strength needed to pinch the handles together is more than many people possess in their fingers and it is frequently necessary for old people or children to use both hands-which is awkward-or to ask assistance of an attendant or fellow passenger. (3) In pinching the handles together the fingers are frequently injured and finger nails broken.

My invention overcomes these objections. It provides a hold-down mechanism for springactuated shades that is easily and logically operated. Anyone, by a light pressure of the fingers in the direction in which it is desired to move the shade, can operate it. It also releases the friction that holds the shade in place on both sides at the same time, thus assuring an even movement of the shade without the probability of having one of the guides jamb or slip out of its track.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hold-down mechanism for spring-actuated shades that may be installed in, and will serve effectively, shades which vary considerably in width, such for instance, as the wide windows frequently seen in Pullman dining cars as well as the smaller windows of many train coaches and buses.

Another object of this invention is to provide a: hold-down mechanism for spring-actuated shades which is of relatively simple, inexpensive and compact construction, and is light in weight, and at the same time is sturdy and durable and long lasting in service, and mechanism that when installed in a shade does not appear bulky or give the shades an unattractive appearance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hold-down mechanism of the character described for spring-actuated shades and in which the spring tension of the friction shade locking members may be adjusted easily and conveniently while the mechanism is mounted in a shade or when dismounted therefrom.

Other objects of this invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Broadly stated, in accordance with this invention, the hold-down mechanism is adapted to be carried in a hem formed horizontally across the shade, usually along its lower edge. A friction holding member protrudes from each side of the shade and normally is spring pressed against the bottom of the shade guideway at each side of the shade with suflicient force to hold the shade at its adjusted height. An operating handle or finger piece protrudes horizontally from the plane of the shade and is so pivotally mounted that it can be grasped by a person and swung up or down and is so connected to the locking members that when the finger piece is pivoted either up or down, it retracts the locking members against their springs and releases the shade for vertical adjustment. The springs, immediately upon the release of the operating handle, push the looking member back to locking engagement with the tracks restoring the operating handle to horizontal position. For the wider shades, two

' operating handles tied together for movement in unison may be provided. Details of the construction, including an arrangement whereby the tension of the locking member springs may be adjusted are left for detailed description hereinafter.

The invention, accordingly, consists inthe features of construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will be more clearly described hereinafter and the scope of the application of which will be set forth in the claims that follow.

In order that a clearer understanding of this invention may be had, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and illustrating certain possible embodiments of this invention, and in which:

Figure 1 shows the entire device with part cut away so that the mechanism can be seen with the cable in the position which releases the tips from contact with the tracks.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view out longitudinally through the central casing containing the operating mechanism (using a cable) and shows it in normal, or looking, position, only a portion of the entire device being shown.

Figure 3 is a sectional view out vertically through the operating handle and central casing illustrating the manner in which the movement of the operating handle either upward or downward tightens the cable to draw the pistons inward, and is taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the front of the operating handle;

Figure 5 is a sectional view out vertically through the square portion of the tube that contains rollers that keep the pistons on an even plane, and also showing the square section of the pistons, and is taken on the line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modification and is taken through the central casing,

out longitudinally, to illustrate how the mechanism operates when bevelled gears are used;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through the central casing and showing in elevation the operating handle and its bevelled gear extension and is taken on the line l'l of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view out longitudinally through the locking end. of the piston, showing the manner in which the octagonal nut is threaded to both the piston and the end piece in order to allow oi the adjustment of the spring compression without changing the length of the device, and how the length of the device may be lengthened or shortened iractionally by unscrewing or screwing the :end piece;

Figure 9 is a sectional view out vertically through the tube and the nut that connects the piston and the end. piece, showing its octagonal shape, which permits it to be turned in place with a wrench, and is taken on the line 9-9 of Figure '8;

Figure 10 is an elevation of a window frame in which a spring-actuated shade having one operating handle operates and illustrates the appearance of the operating handle when in normal position;

Figure ll is a diagrammatic profile View of the device of either modification showing how a persons fingers are placed against the operating handle to draw the shade down;

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing how the fingers are placed to raise the shade; and

Figure 13 is an elevation of a window frame and shade where two handles are used.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the mechanism is attached to the lower edge of a spring-actuated shade l and. is partially or whollycontained in a pocket formed by a hem 2 in the shade material or by attaching a pocket of another material to the lower edge of the curtain.

The device includes an operating handle 3, a casing of metal 4, or other suitable material, which contains the actuating part of the operating device and two tubes 5 and 5 which extend sidewise in opposite directions from the casing 4. One-or" these tubes 5 encloses a piston 1, guide rollers 8 on which the piston moves and the loci;- ing spring 9 that operates the piston. Tube 6 encloses similar parts. On the outer end of each piston, such as l, is a guide ii) and ii of the usual type that runs in tracks or grooves I2 and I3 the sides ofthe window frame i4, and a tip 15 and H5 at the end of each piston that engages the bottoms !l and 18 of the tracks [2 and I3. Octagonal nuts connect the pistons l to the end pieces l5 and 16.

The operating handle is exposed on the inside of the shade I and has an extension arm 2i :whic'h enters the central casing 4 through an opening 22 and is pivoted at the point where it 4 enters by means of a pin 23 which is mounted on the casing 4 so as to extend horizontally across the opening thereof and passing through the extension arm 2i. Through a hole 24 in and near the extreme end of the extension arm 2! passes a cable 25 which is fastened at its opposite ends to the pistons l which are within the tubes 5 and 6 on each side of the casing 4. The outer end of each piston I is screwed into an octagonal nut 26 as shown best in Figure 8. End pieces l5 and i6, each with a tip of rubber or other suitable material, are screwed into the octagonal nuts 2'6 and engage the bottoms l! and i8 of the track channels at the sides of the window frame. These tips are forced against the window frame by coil springs 9 in compression that are contained in the tubes ii and 5. Each of these springs 9 surround a piston l and is held in compression by impinging at its inner end against a projection 28 on the inside of the tube and at the outer end against an octagonal nut 25. The threads in the nuts .26 are cut in the same direction so that turning the nut in one direction or the other while holding the tip [5 or it against rotation does not extend or shorten the overall length of the device. However, it is apparent that by screwing the nut 26 in one direction, the compression of the spring can be increased and by screwing it in the other direction it can be decreased. This permits an easy adjustment to equalize the pull on both sides of the operating device. The nut .26 is octagonal in shape so that it can be turned with an ordinary wrench. The springs 3 can be removed and replaced by unscrewing the nuts 26 from "the pistons which will allow the springs to fall out. Also by holding the nut 26 the overall length of either piston and tip may be lengthened or shortened by merely screwing the tip inwardlyor outwardly in the nut.

Near the ends of the pistons l at Which the cable 25 is attached the piston l is out fiat on top and bottom as at 39 and is contained between the rollers 8, one above each piston l and one below, so that as the piston 7 moves it will remain in the same plane. These rollers 8 are contained in square section 3! of the tubes 5 and 6 at each side of the central casing 4.

An alternate design (Figures 6 and '7) :sub-

'stitutes a set of bevelled gears and levers for the cable. The end of the extension arm 21, instead of being pierced to accommodate a cable, is developed into a double bevelled gear 32. Engaging the gear 32 on each side is a corresponding bevelled gear '33 and 35, each on one end of a lever 35 and 35 which are pivoted on pins 31 and 38 that-are fixed in the central casing 4. The other end of each lever is attached by means of a pin 39, Gil to a metal link 4|, 42 which, in turn, is attached to the end of one of the pistone 7, as by a pin- S3, 4i.

When two handles are used the same cable is engaged by both operating extensions of the two handles and is connected to both pistons.

The following is a description of how the device operates when the cable is used:

To raise'the shade the operating handle is tilted up by pressure of the fingers on the under side. As the operating handle goes up the extension arm, turning on the pivot, is depressed, carrying the cable with it. This draws both pistons inward toward the central casing, further compressing the springs that surround the pistons. The tips are thus drawn away from the sides of the window in unison and. the shade is The usual coiled spring inside of the shade roll (not shown) winds up the shade in the usual way and keeps it taut. When the pressure on the operating handle is released the springs in the tubes force both pistons outward immediately and the tips again engage the window frame and step movement of the shade and return the operating handle to its normal position.

To lower the shade the operating handle is tilted downward by the fingers which action raises the end of the extension arm. This draws the pistons inward by elevating the cable at its center, and the tips are drawn away from the window frame and the shade moves downward under the pressure of the operator fingers.

free to move.

.When the pressure of the fingers is withdrawn,

the shade is stopped and held in place as described above, and the operating handle is automatically returned to its normal position.

The general principle of operation is the same when the bevelled gears and levers are substituted for the cable. The raising or lowering of the operating handle depresses or elevates the gear ends of the levers which in turn raise or lower the links which draw the pistons inward. The balance of the operation is the same.

What I claim is:

1. Hold down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, an oper-- ating member mounted on a lower portion of the shade and pivotable upwardly and downwardly from an intermediate position, a holddown member mounted on the shade and movable toward and from said operating member, and connecting means between and joining said operating member and said hold-down member and adapted to move said hold-down member toward said operating member in response to pivotal movement of said operating member out of its said intermediate position and adapted upon release of said operating member in its said upwardly or downwardly pivoted position to move said hold-down member away from said operating member and to restore said operating member to its said intermediate position.

2. Hold-down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, a casing mounted on a lower portion of the shade, an operating member pivotable on the casing upwardly and downwardly from an intermediate position, a hold-down member movable to and from a hold-down position, and means resiliently holding said operating member in and urging said member toward its intermediate position and resiliently holding said hold-down member in and urging the hold-down member toward its holddown position, whereby when said operating member is pivoted upwardly or downwardly from its said intermediate position said holddown member is moved away from its hold-down position and when said operating member is released when not in its intermediate position the hold-down member is moved toward its holddown position and said operating member is moved to its intermediate position.

3. Hold-down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, a hand lever mounted on a lower portion of the shade and pivotable upwardly and downwardly manually from an intermediate position, a hold-down member mounted on the shade and movable away from said hand lever into a hold-down position and toward said hand lever away from hold-down position, a device connecting the hand lever and the hold-down member and adapted upon pivoted movement of the hand lever upwardly or downwardly from its said intermediate position to draw said hold down member toward said handv lever and away from hold-down position and adapted upon movement of said holddown member away from the hand lever and toward hold-down position to move the hand lever into its said intermediate position, and a device connected to said hold-down member resiliently urging said hold-down member to move away from said hand lever and toward holddown position.

4. Hold-down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including in combination, a support, an operating handle pivotable on said support upwardly and downwardly from an intermediate position, a hold-down member movable sidewise away from and toward said operating handle, means connecting said handle and said hold-down member whereby upward or downward movement of said handle from said intermediate position draws said hold-down member toward said handle, and resilient means urging said hold-down member to its effective position and adapted to move said hold-down member away from said handle and to move said handle into its said intermediate position upon release of said handle in said upwardly 0r downwardly pivoted position.

5. Hold-down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, a housing, an operating lever pivotally supported by the housing and having an operating finger piece protruding from the housing, a tube extending sidewise from each side of the housing and open into the interior of the housing, a piston slidably carried in each tube and each having a hold-down formation at its outer end, a spring in each tube engaging the associated piston and tube urging the pistons .to move outwardly in the tubes and a connecting device connecting the inner ends of the pistons with said operating lever and whereby upon pivoting movement of said lever upwardly or downwardly from an intermediate position, said pistons are drawn toward said lever against the action of said springs and upon movement of said pistons away from the lever the lever is moved to its said intermediate position.

6. Hold down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, a pair of oppositely directed friction holding members, a pivotally mounted operatin member intermediate said members, spring means urging said members to mOVe away from said operating member, and a retracting device connecting each of said friction holding members to said operating member whereby pivotal movement of said operating member from an intermediate 'pivotal position retracts said holding members against the action of said spring means, said mechanism being adapted to be carried on a window shade with said friction holding members protruding sidewise from both side edges thereof and the operating member accessible on the outside of the shade.

7. Hold down mechanism for spring actuated shades of windows having window frames, said mechanism including, in combination, a housing,

an operating lever pivoted to said housing, a pair of tubes extending sidewise in opposite directions from said housing, fa piston slidably housed in each tube, springs respectively engaging associated pistons and 'tubes and urging said pistons to move outwardly in said tubes, a friction holding member secured to the outer end of each piston and movable in unison therewith, and a :connecting means joining said operating lever and each of said pistons whereby pivotal movement of said operating" lever vfrom :an intermediate positiondraws both of said pistons and the friction holding members inwardly of said tubes, said springs being adapted to move said pistons and friction holding members outwardly of said tubes and to restore said operating lever to said intermediate position upon said operating member being released from displaced position.

8. Hold down mechanism as set forth in claim '7, and in which the operating lever has an Japerture therethrough and said connection between the operating lever and the pistons includes a cable fastened to the inner ends of both pistons and extending through said aperture in'the'operating lever at a distance from the pivot :point of the lever.

. gear with one of said pistons.

10. Hold down mechanism as set forth in claim "7 .and in which the friction :hold down members and the adjacent ends 10f the'pistons are similarly threaded and are'engaged in threaded connecting nuts.

BROWN ROLSTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 849,133 Hopkins Apr. 2, 1907 1,507,660 Bonheim "Sept. 9, 1924 2,113,837 Hamm Apr. 12,1938 

